NCompass Live: Little Library with a Big Heart: Southern Area Public Library, WV: Best Small Library in America 2013

With the enthusiasm and leadership of director Mary Beth Stenger, Southern Area Public Library, in Lost Creek, WV, has been transformed from a good, traditional public library into a modern, bustling center of community activity, information, and learning. This transformation convinced the judges to name it the Best Small Library in America 2013, cosponsored by Library Journal and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Mary will share how the library has developed creative programming and innovative services to serve their community of 498, with the help of just one other library staff member, a team of volunteers and a small Board of Trustees.

Our Service Population is 496 as of 2010 census. There is no other library in the state under 1000 Service Population. There are eight stand alone libraries with less visits last year than us; we had 7945.

2280 square footage In the last few years we are better utilizing underused space upstairs. One of our biggest limits to programming is our space. The other big limit is staff.

Mary Stenger, Director, works 20 hours a week. Wilma Bennett, assistant, at the time of the award was working 15 hours per week. One of the budget items we spent part of the award on is personnel costs. We are now able to overlap hours so programming can be more successful. We also have a volunteer program that has over 20 volunteers providing some type of service with three very active volunteers who come weekly to work the circ desk.

If you can imagine it, we will try to provide a program for it.

Our most successful fundraiser has been the Taste of Soup. I heard about that at the ARSL conference.

We have a facebook page, a website (that once again needs revamped), a pinterest account, and a twitter account. Unique programming includes afterschool snacks which got a lot of attention from the media. Community support: we have 20 volunteers, our local groups all donate money and/or time.

I have more ideas than I have energy to implement them. We are willing to try anything once. This year we started a seed library with help from local Master Gardeners as well as provided space for VITA volunteers to do taxes for local residents.

Strategic Planning will take up most of next year.

Transcript of "NCompass Live: Little Library with a Big Heart: Southern Area Public Library, WV: Best Small Library in America 2013"

12.
Some reasons given by the judges
•Our use of technology
•Our unique programs
•Our community support

13.
Why did we win?
PASSION COMMITMENT
WILLING TO
TRY NEW
THINGS
COMMUNITY
SUPPORT
EMBRACING
TECHNOLOGY

14.
What’s up next?
• More programming, adults and teens
• Programming Bingo to encourage participation
• Open on Mondays
• Chair lift to second floor
• Repainting second floor
• Community partnerships
• Getting our geek on one more time
• Taking a new look at our marketing efforts
• Redoing our strategic plan

15.
Now it’s your turn
• http://lj.libraryjournal.com/awards/best-
small-library-in-america-award-
nomination-guidelines/
1. A written explanation of up to two pages
2. Photo(s) of library, staff, and patrons
3. Statistical data
4. A population of 25,000 or less is eligible